# NTSB ERA10CA337: Piper PA-28-181, N30062, Great Barrington, MA, June 28, 2010

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 28, 2010, 00:30 local (04:30 UTC)
- Place: Great Barrington, MA
- Coordinates: 42.193611, -73.39083
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1936&lon=-73.3908&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern base: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report July 18, 2011
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 76450
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10CA337
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76450/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76450
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA337

## Probable cause

The pilot's attempted visual flight into night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and subsequent controlled flight into terrain.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md)
- [Ceiling/visibility/precip: low visibility](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035015/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 175 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035015/cases.md)
- [Ceiling/visibility/precip: fog](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035055): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035055/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 78 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035055/cases.md)
- [Perception/orientation/illusion: spatial disorientation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022025): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022025/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 358 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022025/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Approach: VFR encounter with IMC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401/sequence.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 392 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401/sequence.md)
- [Approach-VFR pattern base: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot departed his home airport at night, in fog, and returned on an instrument flight rules (IFR) clearance. He stated that the return flight was routine and the air traffic controller cleared him for the approach into the airport. The pilot then canceled his IFR clearance, descended visually, and entered a left traffic pattern to land. The pilot stated that he entered the downwind leg for a "tighter than normal" pattern to avoid the fog at the approach end of the runway; however, global positioning system data revealed a spiraling descent in the vicinity of the base leg of the traffic pattern. The pilot stated that not seeing the terrain surrounding the airport while having the airport in sight lulled him into the belief that he was on or near glide path when, in fact, he was much lower, causing the controlled flight into terrain. The airplane incurred substantial damage to the left wing and left side of the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airplane. Airports 15 miles north and 10 miles west each reported ceilings less than 100 feet, and visibility less than a half mile, and witnesses surrounding the airport described the fog as heavy with visibility of less than 100 feet.

## Factual narrative

The pilot departed his home airport at night, in foggy conditions, and returned on an instrument flight rules (IFR) clearance. He stated that the return flight was "routine" and was cleared for the NDB-A approach into the airport. The pilot then canceled his IFR clearance and descended the airplane visually. He stated he entered the downwind leg for a "tighter than normal pattern" to avoid the fog at the approach end of the runway, however, GPS data revealed a spiraling descent in the vicinity of the base leg of the traffic pattern. The pilot stated, "Again, everything was routine until the base leg...As I continued, with the runway and runway environment in sight, I suddenly felt an impact...Not seeing the terrain surrounding the airport while having the airport in sight, lulled me into the belief that I was on or near glide path when, in fact, I was much lower, causing the CFIT (controlled flight into terrain)." The airplane incurred substantial damage to the left wing and left side of the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airplane. Weather reported 15 miles north included a 100-foot ceiling and a half mile of visibility due to fog. Witnesses surrounding the accident airport described the fog as "heavy" with visibility "less than 100 feet."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N30062](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N30062-2013-02-13), registration cancelled 2013-02-13, S/N 28-7990081, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7990081
- Airframe hours: 5210
- Engines: LYCOMING O&VO-360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Berkshire Aviation Enterprises Inc
- Registered owner: Berkshire Aviation Enterprises Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 2, 2010
- Departed: 5B2, Saratoga Spring, NY
- Destination: GBR, Great Barrington, MA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: GBR, Walter J Koladza Airport, runway 29, 2,579 × 50 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 17, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 550 total, 216 in this make and model, 459 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 31 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 0 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.65 inHg
- Observed at: PSF, 16 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20100628039319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100628039319A), Jun 28, 2010: Piper PA-28-181, Great Barringto, MA, Substantial damage. At approximately 0430Z on June 28, 2010 N30062, a Piper PA28-181 crashed in a corn field 665 feet prior to the approach end of runway 29 at Great Barrington…

## Docket (13 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 13, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76450. 46.3 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40333916&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Witness Statements (item 2, .PDF, 256 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40333605&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Redacted.PDF
- Weather Records: KPSF METARs (item 3, .PDF, 32 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40333601&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Records%3A%20KPSF%20METARs-Master.PDF
- Bershire Aviation Fueling Records (item 4, .PDF, 55 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40333603&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Bershire%20Aviation%20Fueling%20Records-Master.PDF
- Engine Log Excerpt (item 5, .PDF, 154 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40333606&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Engine%20Log%20Excerpt-Redacted.PDF
- Photograph #1 - Front View of Airplane Wreckage (FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40333654&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%231%20-%20Front%20View%20of%20Airplane%20Wreckage%20(FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photograph #2 - Backside View of Separated Left Wing (FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40333655&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%232%20-%20Backside%20View%20of%20Separated%20Left%20Wing%20(FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photograph #3 - View of Damage to the Left Side of the Airplane (FAA) (item 8, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40333656&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%233%20-%20View%20of%20Damage%20to%20the%20Left%20Side%20of%20the%20Airplane%20(FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photograph #4 - View of Firewall Damage (FAA) (item 9, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40333657&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%234%20-%20View%20of%20Firewall%20Damage%20(FAA)-Master.PDF
- Global Positioning System Device - Specialist's Factual Report (item 10, .PDF, 543 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40338030&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Global%20Positioning%20System%20Device%20-%20Specialist%27s%20Factual%20Report-Master.PDF
- Global Positioning System Device - Attachment 1 (csv tabular data) (item 11, .CSV, 6 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40338032&FileExtension=.csv&FileName=Global%20Positioning%20System%20Device%20-%20Attachment%201%20(csv%20tabular%20data)-Master.csv
- Global Positioning System Device - Attachment 2 (csv tabular data) (item 12, .CSV, 13 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40338033&FileExtension=.csv&FileName=Global%20Positioning%20System%20Device%20-%20Attachment%202%20(csv%20tabular%20data)-Master.csv
- Post-Accident Engine Run Video (item 13, AVI, 38.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40345461&FileExtension=avi&FileName=Post-Accident%20Engine%20Run%20Video-Master

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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